Country's biggest World Cup final screening planned ahead of Għaxaq festival
27th edition of Għaxaq Music Festival to feature Ricchi e Poveri and Padre Guilherme this July
The Għaxaq Music Festival will open its annual event with the country's largest screening of the FIFA World Cup Final.
Italian pop group Ricchi e Poveri and Portuguese DJ-priest Padre Guilherme have already been announced as headline acts for the 27th edition of the popular festival.
But before it officially begins, the festival will bring together sports fans by showing the FIFA World Cup final live on Malta's biggest screen at Għaxaq Grounds on Sunday 19th July.
Organisers say the free event will feature "Malta's largest screen".
Then on Tuesday 21st July Italian band Ricchi e Poveri, will headline the first official night as part of their tour to celebrate 60 years in the music industry.
They will also be supported by local artists, including Kevin Paul Calleja and The band, with Pierre Cordina as a warm-up DJ and Alex Grech handling the closing set.
Friday's programme is headlined by Padre Guilherme, known as the "DJ Priest", debuting his first live performance in Malta.
UK-based electronic duo P.O.U (Products of Us) will appear as special guests on Friday night, alongside local DJ JJoy, who will be headlining the first act, and MUX b2b Braynod, who will be in charge of closing the festival.
Each night will begin at 7pm and run until 1am.
The Għaxaq Music Festival has been running since 1999 and has previously hosted acts including Zucchero, Gipsy Kings, Ronan Keating and UB40.
This year's event will also celebrate the 400th anniversary of Ħal Għaxaq parish.
Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, the Minister for Arts, Culture, and National Heritage, described Għaxaq village as a 'forward thinker,' embracing change and opening up rather than remaining isolated.
“Our most important thing is that we push forward each and every village and the different forms of culture. Such events definitely help out the evolution of culture itself,” he said.
Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela said he was proud of his ministry's ongoing support for the festival.
This year's edition is being held in aid of Embrace Diversity Organisation, an NGO supporting children and youths with disabilities.
The festival, organised by St.Mary Band Club Għaxaq under the patronage of the Ministry for Arts, Culture and National Heritage. Each night will begin at 7pm and run until 1am.
Tickets are available through ShowsHappening.com.